Republic of the Philippines

Supreme Court
Manila

OFFICE OF THE 2020/21 BAR CHAIRPERSON

BAR BULLETIN NO. 29, S. 2021

ADDITIONAL LOCAL TESTING CENTERS AND

THE OPENING OF THE VENUE MATCHING MODULE

After assessment, negotiations, and initial ocular inspections, the following

institutions have been added as local testing centers for the 2020/21 Bar
Examinations, with their offered maximum capacities:

National Capital Region

1. University of the Philippines – Diliman, Quezon City (maximum 756 slots)

2. University of the Philippines – Bonifacio Global City, 32nd Street, Taguig

City (maximum 436 slots)

3. De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila – (maximum 794

slots)

Region 3 (Central Luzon)

4. Angeles University Foundation, MacArthur Highway, Angeles City,

Pampanga (maximum 200 slots)

Region 10 (Northern Mindanao)

5. Liceo de Cagayan University, Paseo del Rio Campus, Rodelsa Circle,

Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental (maximum 208 slots)
 With these, there are now 29 local testing centers for the 2020/21 Bar
Examinations:

National Capital Region

1. Ateneo de Manila University Law School, Ateneo Professional Schools

Building, 20 Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center, Makati City (maximum 269
slots)

2. Manila Adventist College, 1975 San Juan Street, Pasay City (maximum 450
slots)

3. University of Makati, J.P. Rizal Extension, West Rembo, Makati City

(maximum 1,000 slots)

4. Far Eastern University, Nicanor Reyes, Sampaloc, Manila (maximum 600

slots)

5. University of Santo Tomas, España Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila

(maximum 500 slots)

6. University of the Philippines – Diliman, Quezon City (maximum 756 slots)

7. University of the Philippines – Bonifacio Global City, 32nd Street, Taguig

City (maximum 436 slots)

8. De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila – (maximum 794

slots)

Cordillera Administrative Region

9. St. Louis University School of Law, A. Bonifacio Street, Baguio City

(maximum 1,035 slots)

Region 1 (Ilocos Region)

10. St. Louis College, Carlatan, San Fernando City, La Union (maximum 1,280
slots)
Region 2 (Cagayan Valley)

11. Cagayan State University College of Law, Carig Campus - Carig Sur,
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (maximum 475 slots)

12. St. Mary’s University College of Law, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

(maximum 259 slots)

Region 3 (Central Luzon)

13.Angeles University Foundation, MacArthur Highway, Angeles City,

Pampanga (maximum 200 slots)

Region 4A (CALABARZON)

14. De La Salle University Lipa, 1962 Pres. J.P. Laurel National Highway, Lipa
City, Batangas (maximum 1,125 slots)

Region 4B (MIMAROPA)

15. City College of Calapan, Barangay Guinobatan, Calapan City, Oriental

Mindoro (maximum 200 slots)

Region 5 (Bicol Region)

16. University of Nueva Caceres, J. Hernandez Avenue, Naga, Camarines Sur

(maximum 1,000 slots)

Region 6 (Western Visayas)

17. Central Philippines University, University Avenue, Jaro, Iloilo City, Iloilo
(maximum 475 slots)

18. University of St. La Salle, La Salle Avenue, Bacolod City, Negros

Occidental (maximum 1,340 slots)

Region 7 (Central Visayas)

19. University of San Jose Recoletos – Basak Campus, N. Bacalso St., Basak,
Pardo, Cebu City (maximum 600 slots)
 20. University of Cebu School of Law, UC Banilad, M. Cuenco Avenue,
Banilad, Cebu City (maximum 1,000 slots)

21. University of San Carlos School of Law and Governance, University of San
Carlos Law Building, Pelaez Street, Cebu City (maximum 200 slots)

22. Silliman University College of Law, 1 Hibbard Avenue, Dumaguete City,

Negros Oriental (maximum 1,000 slots)

Region 8 (Eastern Visayas)

23. Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation, Calanipawan Road,

Barangay Calanipawan, Tacloban City, Leyte (maximum 400 slots)

Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula)

24. Ateneo de Zamboanga University, La Purisima Street, Zamboanga City,

Zamboanga del Sur (maximum 365 slots)

Region 10 (Northern Mindanao)

25. Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, 73 Corrales Avenue, Cagayan de

Oro City, Misamis Oriental (maximum 420 slots)

26.Liceo de Cagayan University, Paseo del Rio Campus, Rodelsa Circle,

Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental (maximum 208 slots)

27.Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, Andres

Bonifacio Avenue, Tibanga, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte (maximum 200
slots)

Region 11 (Davao Region)

28. Ateneo de Davao University, Senior High School Campus, Bangkal, Davao
City (maximum 800 slots)

Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN)

29. Mindanao State University, Fatima, General Santos City (maximum 204
slots)
 Per the memoranda of agreement between the Supreme Court and these
local testing centers, all parties have guaranteed that the required health and safety
protocols shall be strictly implemented, and that the community quarantine
classifications per area will be respected.

The Office of the Bar Chairperson extends its profuse thanks to these
institutions who have generously offered their facilities and personnel in this
historic undertaking.

On October 15, 2021, unconditionally and conditionally approved bar

candidates may select their preferred local testing centers through the Bar Personal
Login Unified System (Bar PLUS). They will receive an email directing them to
their Bar PLUS dashboards, where the venue selection module will be made
available.

To make the examinations more inclusive, venue matching will not be on a

first-come, first-served basis. Due to the limited number of available slots in
each testing center, priority will be given to examinees who reside in remote areas.
Early bird submissions shall have no bearing on the final selection.

Examinees will select two venue choices, with the first given more weight
than the second. If both of the examinees’ choices are already at full capacity, they
will be assigned to a testing center in the province or region nearest to their mailing
address. Starting October 13, 2021, the Office of the Bar Confidant shall no longer
grant any requests from examinees wishing to change their mailing addresses.
Once examinees submit their venue choices, the submission shall be final and
irrevocable.

The venue matching module will close on October 20, 2021. Failure to
select their venues will constitute a waiver by the examinee, who will then be
assigned to an exam venue based on the remaining slots in any local testing
center in the province or region nearest to their mailing address.

Additionally, graduates of law schools designated as testing centers in Metro

Manila and Cebu will be disallowed from taking the Bar Examinations at their law
schools, even if they submitted it as a choice, or if it is their nearest testing center.

The venue matching module will also require examinees to answer two
questions on their COVID-19 vaccination status. Answering these questions is
mandatory. Examinees will receive a follow-up email concerning the answers to
these questions, which may include a request for proof of vaccination status or
appointment. The health information will only be used to formulate COVID-19
safety policies, and will not be shared to any unauthorized third parties.
 The Office of the Bar Chairperson shall announce the list of examinees’
assigned local testing centers by October 25, 2021 on the Supreme Court website.
Those who have not been included in the list should email the Office of the Bar
Confidant at obc.helpdesk.sc@judiciary.gov.ph with the subject line: No Bar
Venue, by October 26, 2021.

Requests for transfer of venue may be accommodated based on: (1)

meritorious reasons; and (2) availability of slots in the chosen venue. Requests
without valid basis, such as “change of mind,” shall not be entertained.

Requests may be submitted from October 27 to 29, 2021 through

https://bit.ly/2021barvenuetransfer. All requests made beyond the period shall no
longer be accommodated.

Bar Permits and Notices of Admission shall be sent, with the final local
testing center of the examinee, starting November 5, 2021.

Finally, examinees must download the Honor Code at

https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/files/bar-2021/honor-code.pdf, sign it, and email the
scanned copy of the signed pdf document to obc.helpdesk.sc@judiciary.gov.ph
with the subject line: Signed Honor Code, by November 30, 2021. The printed
signed copies of the Honor Code must be submitted in person to the designated
Office of the Bar Confidant personnel on January 16, 2022, the first bar Sunday,
upon entry into the local testing center.

Examinees are highly encouraged to choose the local testing centers closest
to their residences. The Office of the Bar Chairperson and the Supreme Court has
localized the examination sites in order to minimize movement, anticipate
disruptions in transportation through various provinces, and increase the
probability that all examinees finish the examinations hopefully all with exemplary
ratings.

In choosing your testing venues, kindly anticipate the following: (a) a

prohibition by the Court, the local government unit, or any relevant authority from
congregating in dorms or hotels for “bar operations” except for those who have to
travel because there are no testing centers in their city, municipality or province of
residence; and (b) disruption of local travel. Also, remember that if you choose
not to take the Bar Examinations in a local testing center in or near your area of
residence, you may—in all likelihood—deprive someone else who does not have
your resources from taking the exams in that locality.

Localizing the Bar Examinations was meant to reduce the costs of all
examinees. Thus, it will have a differential but significant impact on those who
are, for various reasons, less financially endowed than others. Incidentally, it was
also meant to bolster support from one’s family during these trying times.
 We encourage everyone to keep their compassion for others. In choosing
your venue, act with empathy and consider the needs of others. This will be good
karma.

Study well, meaningfully, and passionately. Do your part to ease the

suffering of others.

For your information and guidance.

October 11, 2021.

MARVIC M.V.F. LEONEN

Associate Justice and
2020/21 Bar Examinations
Chairperson